Helping Philadelphia’s children breathe easier, at home and beyond

Philadelphia is home to world-class medical institutions, yet many children and families across the city continue to face persistent barriers that shape health long before a doctor’s visit. From unsafe housing conditions and food insecurity to exposure to community violence, these social and environmental factors can significantly influence health outcomes, particularly for children living with chronic conditions like asthma.^1,2,3,4

Asthma remains one of the leading causes of pediatric emergency department visits and hospitalizations in Philadelphia, disproportionately affecting children in low-income neighborhoods.⁵ Poor housing quality, environmental triggers and limited access to nutritious food all contribute to higher rates of asthma complications and preventable health crises, placing added strain on families and the health care system alike.

To help address these challenges, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania has made a $1.7 million investment in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to expand community-based programs that address both medical and social health factors. The funding will support initiatives led by CHOP’s Center for Health Equity, Office of Community Impact and Center for Violence Prevention, strengthening services that help children and families live healthier, more stable lives.

Meeting families where health begins
CHOP’s community programs are designed to reach children and families beyond clinical settings, recognizing that health is shaped by the environments where people live, learn and work. This investment expands capacity across several high-impact initiatives that work together to reduce barriers, prevent illness and promote long-term wellbeing.

One cornerstone of this effort is CHOP’s Community Asthma Prevention Program (CAPP), which provides free education and support to children with asthma and their caregivers. Through asthma prevention home visits, school-based education and provider training within CHOP’s Care Network Primary Care Centers, the program aims to improve asthma control while reducing emergency department visits and hospital stays.

Creating healthier homes
For many families, asthma symptoms are worsened by unsafe housing conditions that are difficult or impossible to fix without financial support. CHOP’s CAPP+ Home Repairs Program addresses this challenge by working with local home repair agencies to remediate significant structural issues. The program invests an average of $25,000 per home to address triggers such as mold, pest residue and dust through repairs to roofs and plumbing leaks. By improving housing conditions, CAPP+ helps children grow up in environments that support their health rather than compromise it.

Addressing food access and economic stability
Nutrition and economic opportunity are also significant components of whole-person health. CHOP’s Mobile Food Market delivers fresh produce, proteins and milk each week to families in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of Philadelphia, an area identified as a food desert. By bringing healthy food directly into the community, the program helps families overcome transportation and cost barriers that limit access to nutritious options.

In addition, CHOP’s youth summer employment program supports teens as they prepare for the workforce by helping them develop job readiness skills, build financial literacy and stay safely engaged during the summer months. These opportunities support economic stability for families and contribute to long-term health by reducing stress and increasing pathways to employment.

Promoting safety and stability
The investment also supports CHOP’s Firearm Safety Initiative, which integrates firearm safety counseling and the distribution of gun locking devices into clinical care. This approach addresses mental health and community violence through prevention-focused conversations that prioritize child and family safety.

To further support housing stability, funding will provide security deposits for at least 100 home-insecure families in West Philadelphia. By helping families overcome the upfront costs of securing housing, the initiative aims to reduce homelessness and support more consistent access to care, education and employment.

Building healthier communities through comprehensive solutions
These programs reflect a shared commitment to addressing the root causes of health challenges by integrating medical care with community-based solutions. By investing in housing quality, food access, economic opportunity and safety alongside clinical services, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania and CHOP are working to improve outcomes for children today while laying groundwork for healthier futures.

Learn more about how UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania supports children and families through community-based investments by visiting the Pennsylvania profile page.

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